How to Use Uber and Lyft: Complete Tutorial for Beginners

Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft have transformed how people get around. Instead of standing on a street corner trying to flag down a taxi, you can request a ride from your phone, know the price before you get in, and track the car as it comes to pick you up. It’s convenient, often cheaper than a traditional taxi, and available in thousands of cities across the United States.

If you’ve never used Uber or Lyft before, or if the whole idea makes you a little nervous, this guide is for you. We’ll walk through everything from downloading the app to completing your first ride, with plenty of safety tips along the way.

What Are Uber and Lyft?

Uber and Lyft are smartphone apps that connect passengers with drivers. Here’s how they work: you open the app, enter where you want to go, and the app matches you with a nearby driver. The driver comes to pick you up, takes you to your destination, and the payment is handled automatically through the app. No cash changes hands (unless you specifically choose to pay with cash on Uber in certain areas).

Both apps work essentially the same way. The main differences are pricing (which varies by time and location) and availability (Uber operates in more areas overall, while Lyft is focused on the US and Canada). Most people have both apps on their phone and compare prices before requesting a ride.

Both services are legal, regulated, and insured. Drivers undergo background checks, and every ride is tracked and recorded by the app.

Downloading and Setting Up the App

On iPhone

1. Open the App Store (the blue icon with a white “A”).
2. Tap the search icon and type “Uber” or “Lyft.”
3. Tap “Get” and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password.
4. The app will install and appear on your home screen.

On Android

1. Open the Google Play Store (the colorful triangle icon).
2. Type “Uber” or “Lyft” in the search bar.
3. Tap “Install” and wait for it to download.
4. The app icon will appear on your screen.

Creating Your Account

When you open the app for the first time, you’ll need to create an account. You’ll need:

• Your phone number (they’ll send a verification code via text message)
• Your email address
• Your full name
• A payment method

About payment: Both apps accept credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay or Google Pay. Uber also accepts cash payment in some areas. A credit card is the most convenient option because payment happens automatically at the end of each ride, so you never have to think about it.

If you’re uncomfortable storing your card information in an app, know that both companies use industry-standard encryption and security measures. Millions of people use these apps daily with their cards on file.

How to Request Your First Ride: Step by Step

Step 1: Open the App

Tap the Uber or Lyft icon on your phone. The app will open to a map showing your current location.

Step 2: Allow Location Access

The first time you open the app, your phone will ask if the app can use your location. Tap “Allow” or “Allow While Using App.” This is necessary so the driver knows where to find you.

Step 3: Enter Your Destination

You’ll see a text box that says “Where to?” (Uber) or “Where are you going?” (Lyft). Tap it and type in your destination. You can enter a specific address, the name of a business (like “CVS Pharmacy on Main Street”), or a landmark (like “Central Park”).

The app will show suggestions as you type. Tap the correct one.

Step 4: Choose Your Ride Type

After entering your destination, the app shows you several options:

• UberX / Lyft Standard: The basic service. A regular car, one to four passengers. This is the most affordable option and perfectly fine for most trips.
• Uber Comfort / Lyft XL: Larger cars with more legroom. Good if you have trouble getting in and out of smaller vehicles.
• UberXL / Lyft XL: SUVs or minivans for when you have more passengers or extra luggage.

Each option shows the estimated price and the estimated time until the driver arrives. For most trips, the standard option (UberX or Lyft) is all you need.

Step 5: Confirm the Ride

Tap the button to confirm your request. The app will immediately start looking for a driver near you. Within seconds to a few minutes, you’ll be matched with a driver.

The screen will show you:

• The driver’s name and photo
• Their car’s make, model, color, and license plate number
• Their rating (out of 5 stars)
• How many minutes until they arrive

Step 6: Wait for Your Driver

Stay at the location where you requested the ride. You can watch the car icon move on the map as the driver approaches. When they’re close, you’ll get a notification.

Critical safety step: Before getting in the car, verify three things:

1. The license plate matches what the app shows.
2. The car’s make and model match the app description.
3. Ask the driver, “Who are you picking up?” They should say your name. Never get in a car where the driver asks you for your name first, because a scammer could simply agree to whatever name you give.

Step 7: Enjoy the Ride

Get in the back seat (it’s safer and more comfortable). The driver already has your destination from the app, so you don’t need to give directions unless you prefer a specific route. You can follow the route on your phone’s screen if you’d like.

Step 8: Arrive at Your Destination

When you arrive, simply get out of the car. If you’re paying by card (which is the default), the payment is processed automatically. There’s nothing else you need to do.

After the ride, the app will ask you to rate the driver from 1 to 5 stars. If everything went well, give them 5 stars. You can also leave a tip through the app if you’d like, though it’s not required.

Essential Safety Tips

Safety should always be your top priority. Follow these guidelines every time:

Share your trip. Both apps have a “Share Trip” or “Send Status” feature. Before you get in the car, tap this option and select a family member or friend. They’ll receive a link that lets them track your ride in real time, including the driver’s name, car details, and your route.

Always verify the car. Check the license plate, car model, and color before getting in. This takes five seconds and is the single most important safety habit you can develop.

Sit in the back seat. It’s safer than the front, gives you more personal space, and allows quick exit from either side of the car if needed.

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s the car, the driver, or the situation, don’t get in. Cancel the ride and request another one. It’s always better to be safe.

Keep your phone charged. Make sure your phone has enough battery for the duration of your trip. Consider carrying a portable battery charger for longer days out.

Use the in-app emergency button. Both Uber and Lyft have a safety section within the app that includes a button to call 911. It automatically shares your location and trip details with emergency services.

Useful Features You Should Know About

Schedule a ride in advance. If you have a doctor’s appointment at 9 AM tomorrow, you can schedule a ride the night before. The app will have a driver ready at the time you specify. This is found under “Schedule” or by tapping the clock icon when entering your destination.

Add a stop. Need to pick up a prescription on the way to your appointment? You can add intermediate stops to your trip before confirming.

Save favorite places. Save your home address, your doctor’s office, your children’s homes, or any frequently visited location. Then you can request a ride to “Home” or “Doctor” with a single tap instead of typing the address each time.

Round trip. If you’re going somewhere and need a ride back, you can schedule the return trip in advance.

View your ride history. The app keeps a record of every ride you’ve taken, including the date, route, driver, and amount charged. This is useful for budgeting and for your records.

Lost and found. If you leave something in the car, the app lets you contact the driver directly to arrange getting your item back.

When to Use Uber/Lyft vs. Other Options

Use Uber or Lyft when: You need door-to-door service, you’re going somewhere unfamiliar, you want to know the price before you travel, you want someone to be able to track your trip, or there’s no convenient public transit option.

Consider alternatives when: Your phone battery is very low, you’re in an area with poor cell service, you need wheelchair-accessible transport (though both apps offer accessible vehicle options in many cities), or there’s a taxi stand right in front of you and you need to go immediately.

Your First Ride Is the Hardest

It’s completely normal to feel nervous about your first ride. Here’s our suggestion: make your first trip a short one to someplace you know well. If possible, do it with someone who has used the app before so they can walk you through the process in person.

Once you complete that first ride, you’ll realize how straightforward it truly is. The second ride will feel natural, and by the third, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to try it.

Uber and Lyft give you independence. They let you get where you need to go on your own schedule, without relying on anyone else for a ride. That independence is valuable at any age, and these apps are designed to be as simple as possible to use. Give it a try. Your first ride is just a tap away.